A SKETCH by comedian Harry Enfield which sparked a diplomatic incident with the Philippines did not breach broadcasting guidelines, it was ruled today.

The skit, which showed an upper class man encouraging a Northern friend to "mate" with his Filipino maid, caused outrage in the Philippines.

The Philippine embassy in London sent a letter of complaint to the BBC and Britain's ambassador in Manila was summoned to discuss the matter while 42 people complained to the corporation.

A group called the Philippine Foundation also posted an online petition claiming the skit incites "stereotyped racial discrimination, vulgarity and violation of the maid's human rights", and calls for the BBC to be "re-educated".

However, media watchdog Ofcom today ruled the sketch was not intended to ridicule Filipino women. The sketch was one of a number running throughout the Harry and Paul series with Enfield playing a stereotype of a toff.

In its judgment, Ofcom said: "There was no intention to ridicule women or the Filipino community in this sketch. The target of the humour was very clearly the upper- class character played by Harry Enfield who holds such a deluded view of his social superiority."

Ofcom found another joke on a BBC show was also not in breach of the code. Jeremy Clarkson caused 1,800 complaints to the corporation and another 399 to Ofcom when he made comments about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.